The Family Gathering (Sullivan's Crossing #3)(87)

“Mrs. Jergens, you did a very brave thing, letting us apply to adopt him. I know you wouldn’t have done that if you weren’t suffering from medical issues. You wouldn’t have had to, I know that. But where will you be in five years? I don’t know too much about rheumatoid arthritis—is it likely you can get stronger? Or weaker? Will Sam have to be given up then because of health reasons?”

“Well, there’s the thing. If Sandy works out, maybe Sam will stay in the family!”

“Do you have a lot of confidence of that?” Sierra asked nervously. “How old is Sandy?”

“She’s nineteen,” Mrs. Jergens said. “My daughter was twenty!”

“Tell me about Sandy,” Sierra asked. “Please?”

“My cousin’s daughter,” Mrs. Jergens said. “I’ve known her since she was born.”

“But I thought you didn’t have much contact with your extended family,” Sierra said. “You said there were cousins, but they lived far away and you hadn’t had much contact.”

“Sandy’s people live in Nashville. She’s looking for a chance to get away, make something of herself, get out of Tennessee. She’ll like it here.”

“But what will happen in a year or two years when Sandy doesn’t want to be a babysitter and caregiver? What will you do? At two, Sam is still going to need so much tending.” Sierra turned her watering eyes toward the social worker. “Ms. Blasette? Have you talked with Mrs. Jergens about all the possibilities?”

Jeanne Blasette sat forward on the sofa. “We’ve talked at length. She wants to try to raise Sam. She wants to honor the memory of her daughter. I’ve suggested she leave Sam in foster care in that case. You both could agree not to finalize the adoption, her cousin’s daughter could come and help around the house, you could bring Sam to her for visits and if all is well and it looks like it could work out with her cousin’s daughter, then she could claim her grandson permanently.”

“Yes,” Sierra said. “Leave things as they are awhile longer, let’s see how—”

“But that’s not what I want,” Mrs. Jergens said. “I spent about five hours on the phone with Sandy and her mother. We’re all straight on what we’ll need. If I have a baby to tend, my grandson, there will be added disability to help with the cost of having another member of the household. We’ve been working this out for a week. She’s getting to my house today. She just called from Colorado Springs and said she’s almost here.”

“Please think this over,” Sierra begged. “I’m afraid that even with help, Sam could be too much for you. He’s a lot of baby. He’s the best baby in the world, really, but even the best baby—”

“I’ve made plans,” the woman said.

“Do you have furniture and supplies for him?” Sierra asked.

“I’d like to have back what I gave you,” she said. “My neighbor loaned a crib. Jeanne brought a car seat for him. We’ll need formula and—”

Sierra shot a glance at Jeanne Blasette. “Why didn’t you call me and warn me this was going to happen?”

“We were talking about it, trying to work out the details, and then Mrs. Jergens decided she wanted to pick him up today. She didn’t ask me to come along but I didn’t want you to have questions and not be here to answer them. I had to move around some appointments but I wanted to be here for this. I know the shock is difficult. I wish I could say this sort of thing never happens, but...”

“It happens all the time,” Mrs. Jergens said. “My own kid was in foster care for a couple of years way back when...I had some money problems. I got it straightened out and got her back...”

“Oh dear God,” Sierra said.

“You’ll need a little time to put together a bag for him,” Ms. Blasette said. “I brought a gym duffel for you to use if you don’t have one.”

“We’re going to wait until my husband and brother get here,” Sierra said.

“Why?” Mrs. Jergens said.

“My husband loves his son, ma’am. I’m not letting him leave this house without Connie here. And my brother is my lawyer. Hopefully he’s on his way. Let me check my phone.” Sierra went to the kitchen and picked up her phone. “Yes, they’re both coming.”

“Go get him right now,” Mrs. Jergens demanded. “Grab some diapers and clothes. My neighbor can help me with the rest. They have a teenager who drives—he can come back here and pick up things. I’m not waiting around. I know the law, I know my rights.”

“He’s asleep,” Sierra said. The woman was so dispassionate that Sierra became afraid of what she or this cousin might be like if Sam wasn’t easy, wasn’t perfect, if they were tired or inconvenienced. “Please, I beg of you, let’s not end our relationship like this, in one afternoon. Let’s go more slowly. Let me care for Sam, bring him to you for visits, have some trial time to see if you really want to take on a full-time baby.”

“No,” Mrs. Jergens said. “Would you like to pack his things or should I just go get him out of his crib right now?”

“Don’t do that,” she begged. “He’ll be cross if you wake him. Connie will be shattered if you just take him without—”